World Facts Index > Norway > Oslo
 Two
centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of
Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom
occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a
union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians
resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.
Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in
return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism
throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway
independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy
losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World
War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45).
In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery
of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic
fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare
system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In
referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
Geography of Norway
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Location:
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Northern Europe, bordering
the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden |
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Coordinates:
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62 00 N, 10 00 E |
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Area:
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total: 324,220 sq km
land: 307,860 sq km
water: 16,360 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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slightly larger than New
Mexico |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 2,544 km
border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km |
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Coastline:
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21,925 km (includes
mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small
islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km) |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 10
NM
territorial sea: 4 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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temperate along coast,
modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased
precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast |
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Terrain:
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glaciated; mostly high
plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small,
scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in
north |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, copper, natural
gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower |
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Natural hazards:
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rockslides, avalanches |
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Environment current issues:
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water pollution; acid rain
damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks;
air pollution from vehicle emissions |
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Geography - note:
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about two-thirds mountains;
some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location
adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most
rugged and longest coastlines in world
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Population of Norway
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Population:
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4,644,457 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 19.3% (male 455,122/female 434,009)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,542,439/female 1,496,745)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 288,509/female 393,996) |
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Median age:
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38.4 years |
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Growth rate:
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0.38% |
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Infant mortality:
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3.67 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 79.54 years
male: 76.91 years
female: 82.31 years |
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Fertility rate:
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1.78 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian |
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Ethnic groups:
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Norwegian, Sami 20,000 |
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Religions:
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Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%,
other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% |
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Languages:
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Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official),
small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 100%
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Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of
Norway
local short form: Norge
local long form: Kongeriket Norge |
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Government type:
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constitutional monarchy |
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Capital:
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Oslo |
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Administrative divisions:
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19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke);
Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,
Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag,
Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold |
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Dependent areas:
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Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard |
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Independence:
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7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with
Sweden dissolved; 26 October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) |
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Constitution:
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17 May 1814, modified in 1884 |
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Legal system:
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mixture of customary law, civil law system,
and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when
asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January
1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20
July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament
elections: the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the
leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament. |
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Legislative branch:
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modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats;
members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year
terms)
note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two chambers and
elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices
appointed by the monarch) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party
[Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor
Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN];
Red Electoral Alliance [Torstein DAHLE]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN] |
Economy
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism,
featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention.
The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through
large-scale state enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural
resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly
dependent on its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas
accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more
oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in
November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it
contributes sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with
privatization. Although Norwegian oil production peaked in 2000, natural gas
production is still rising. Norwegians realize that once their gas production
peaks they will eventually face declining oil and gas revenues; accordingly,
Norway has been saving its oil-and-gas-boosted budget surpluses in a
Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more
than $250 billion. After lackluster growth of less than 1% in 2002-03, GDP
growth picked up to 3-5% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Norway's
economy remains buoyant. Domestic economic activity is, and will continue to
be, the main driver of growth, supported by high consumer confidence and
strong investment spending in the offshore oil and gas sector. Norway's record
high budget surplus and upswing in the labor market in 2007 highlight the
strength of its economic position going into 2008.
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GDP:
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$246.6 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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3.9% |
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GDP per capita:
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$53,300 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 41.5%
services: 56.4% |
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Inflation rate:
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1.6% |
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Labor force:
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2.4 million |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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services 74%, industry 22%, agriculture,
forestry, and fishing 4% |
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Unemployment:
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4.6% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $176.1 billion
expenditures: $131.3 billion |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 0.4%
hydro: 99.3% |
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Industries:
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petroleum and gas, food processing,
shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles,
fishing |
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Agriculture:
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barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal,
milk; fish |
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Exports:
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petroleum and petroleum products, machinery
and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish |
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Export partners:
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UK 24.3%, Germany 14.7%, France 9.2%, Netherlands 8.4%, US
6.9%, Sweden 6.7%, Canada 4.5% |
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Imports:
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machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals,
foodstuffs |
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Import partners:
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Sweden 14.7%, Germany 14%, Denmark 7.7%, UK 7.2%,
Netherlands 4.7%, US 4.7%, China 4.2%, Finland 4.1% |
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Currency:
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Norwegian krone (NOK) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |